Ergenekon arrests continueApril 13, 2009 - 20:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish police have arrested three academics in connection with an alleged widespread plot to overthrow the government. Among them was Mehmet Haberal, the head of Baskent University in Ankara who was held after a raid on his home. He also runs a TV channel that defends the secular legacy of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Police also raided the offices of the Association to Protect Contemporary Life - an organization that promotes the education of young women - led by a staunch critic of the government. Nearly 150 people, including retired senior military officers, lawyers and academics are on trial for alleged links to a shadowy organization called Ergenekon. Prosecutors claim they were planning a campaign of violence to force the army to overthrow the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His ruling AK Party has its roots in Islam, and has been accused of wanting to move Turkey away from its secular constitution, EuroNews reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |